Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act of 2026
Makes damaging or stealing certain communications cables a federal crime, including attempts and cables under construction.
In the Senate Judiciary Committee since Sept. 30, 2026, 8 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 30, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Copper, fiber, and coaxial cables carry telecommunications and information services. The bill would make damaging or stealing certain of these cables a federal crime, including attempts, conspiracies, and offenses involving cables under construction. It would also set penalties and exclude customer equipment on a customer's property.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Adds cable damage and theft offenses
The bill would make it a federal crime to willfully or maliciously injure, destroy, or steal copper, fiber, or coaxial cable used for telecommunications or information services that affects interstate or foreign commerce. The offense would also cover attempts and conspiracies, and cables that are under construction.
- Sets penalties and excludes customer equipment
A person who violates the amended law could be fined, imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both. The cable offense would not apply to equipment physically located on a customer's property and owned, rented, or leased by that customer.
The bill's stated purpose is to address vandalism of cables used for telecommunications and information services. It would make the federal criminal law expressly reach certain cable damage and theft, with potential prison terms of up to 10 years.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 30, 2026SENATESEP 30, 2026By Sen. Schmitt with 1 original cosponsorReferred to Judiciary
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 30, 2026JUDICIARY NOWSEP 30, 2026In committee for 8 daysNo hearing yet
- 8 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 302026SEP 30, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- SEP 302026SEP 30, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 8, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
Support from one state
Plus the sponsor, a Republican. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Republican. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Schmitt’s record: sponsored 61 bills this Congress. 11 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Alex PadillaD-CAORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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